San Angelo Castle - Castel Sant Angelo

The castle San Angelo (Castel Sant'Angelo) is one of the greatest historical monuments in Rome. It is located very close to the Vatican by the Papal Palace which has one wall that leads to the castle and San Angelo. The tomb was built on the right bank of the Tiber River. The bridge that leads to it was studded with gold pieces and the top of the castle is riched with tall trees.

San Angelo Castle is known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. According to legend, in 590 AD, during the plague, Pope Gregory the Great saw the castle on top of the Arch-angel Michael, who put the sword in its sheath, which meant an end to the disaster. Hence derived the name of the castle San Angelo.

Emperor Hadrian began to build the mausoleum for himself and his family members, however, the construction was completed after the death of Hadrian in 139. His successor was Antoninus Pius. The mausoleum was built on a square base with a side length of 84 m.

In the mausoleum the funeral urns were placed with the emperors who ruled between Hadrian and Septimius Severus. Then the giant facility included the Aurelian walls built in the surrounding city and was used for military or strategic objectives.

San Angelo roughly in its present form is the work of the popes as it was used as their stronghold, residency, asylum and prison. It was there that Giordano Bruno was held for six years.

The internal courtyard had seen thousands of executions until the early 20th century when the castle was turned into a museum.

Today the Castle San Angelo combines cylindrical architecture between both the Museum and the Art Gallery. As such has had such functions in the palace from 1901 to the present day.

Today you can see exhibitions and artifacts , such as catapults, antiques , ancient objects and works of art beautiful art.